News Rundown November 20 – 24, 2017
A much-needed bill finally breaks through Congress, new routes for the country’s flag carrier, and a schedule is given out for a long-awaited terminal in the southern part of Metro Manila. All of these while President Rodrigo Duterte makes two pronouncements: no more peace talks with the rebels and opening up foreign restrictions on select investment areas and activities.
Here are the news you may have missed in the midst of all that hulabaloo along EDSA:
House of Representatives approves Mental Health Bill
IMAGE House of Representatives of the Philippines Facebook page
With a vote of 223-0-0, the House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 6452 or the Comprehensive Mental Health Act earlier this week. The bill looks to integrate mental health care into the general health delivery system, promote its study in primary and secondary schools, and protect the rights and freedoms of people with mental health needs.
It also strengthens the functions of the Philippine Council for Mental Health to “provide a coherent, rational, and unified response to mental health problems, concerns, and efforts through formulation and implementation of the National Mental Health Care Services Delivery Syetem.”
Source: Inquirer.net
Peace talks with communist rebels scrapped
Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza/IMAGE peace.gov.ph
In a statement published last Wednesday, November 22, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza announced that they are calling off all planned meetings with the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP – NPA – NDF) in line with statements previously made by President Duterte.
“This is an unfortunate development in our work for peace. Never before have we reached this far in negotiations with them,” Dureza said in his statement. He also said there are no plans of pursuing peace negotiations “until such time as the desired enabling environment conducive to a change in the government’s position becomes evident.”
Source: CNN Philippines
PAL to open new domestic and international routes
PHOTO Masahiro Takagi via flickr
According to reports, Philippine Airlines (PAL) will mount nonstop flights three times a week between Manila and Toronto, Canada beginning on December 16. PAL will also fly nonstop between Manila and Auckland, NZ three times a week starting December 6.
New routes from Cebu will also be opened up to PAL customers starting December 1. These are Siargao, Camiguin, and Legazpi. Direct flights from Cebu to Bangkok, Thailand will also be launched starting December 2.
New flights will also be launched from Clark within the next 2 months: Legaspi, Masbate, Calbayog and Catarman (Dec. 1), Virac (Dec.10), Bacolod (Dec. 15), Tagbilaran (Dec. 15), Cagayan de Oro (Dec. 16), and Naga (Jan. 15).
Source: CNN Philippines, BusinessWorld
Southwest terminal to be operational in Q2 2018
IMAGE Megawide.com.ph
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced earlier this week that the Southwest Integrated Terminal Exchange (SWITEx) is set to open in April 2018. One of five big-ticket projects of the DOTr, it’s aimed at giving those who live in the provinces just south of Metro Manila an easier way to access the metropolis.
“The SWITEx is envisioned to be a modern transportation hub that will significantly improve the commuting and terminal experience of passengers,” the DOTr said in a statement.
SWITEx is an intermodal facility designed to accommodate different modes of public transport. “It will be the first of several terminals that will be built around the peripheries of Metro Manila,” according to the agency.
Source: The Philippine Star
Duterte to NEDA: Lift or ease foreign restrictions on certain investment areas, activities
PHOTO Richard Madelo/Presidential Photo
In order to raise the country’s competitiveness to its ASEAN neighbors, President Duterte asked the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to lift or ease restrictions on certain investment areas and activities with limited foreign participation.
These include private recruitment for local or overseas employment, practice of certain professions, contracts for construction and repair of locally-funded public works, public services with the exception of public utilities, activities regarding rice and corn (except retail), teaching at higher education levels, retail trade enterprises, and domestic market enterprises.
He also asked the NEDA Board to inform him of any restrictions that may be eased or lifted without aid of legislation in order to amend the Tenth Regular Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL). The FINL lists all areas of investment that have limited foreign participation.
Source: PTV News
